Canada declares chemical in plastic water bottles toxic

Probably nothing, say spokesmen for Nalgene and companies that produce similar plastic bottles and food containers for drinking and eating.

Possibly a great deal, say scientists who've linked bisphenol-A, or BPA -- a chemical found in a wide array of hard-plastic products used for eating and drinking -- to severe health problems, including miscarriages, cancers and brain disorders in studies involving animals.

Such concerns prompted Canada on Friday to declare BPA a toxic chemical, a decision that could lead to a Canada-wide ban of BPA in baby bottles.